Friends and Fun

I got a fun message on Facebook from an old friend saying she was going to be in town and wanted to stop by.  She and her husband and their two youngest boys dropped by for about an hour the other day.  It was so fun to see her again!  I was headed off to karate as soon as they left.  I don't usually hang out in my gee bottoms and karate shirt. LOL

Bridgette and Me!

Every year I take the girls to Cherry Hill at least once during the season.  Last night we went and had lots of fun.  Little One is getting so much braver.  Of course, by the time she decided she wanted to try the tube ride it was way too cold!  We may just have to go back again. :)

Dad's Birthday and the 4th of July

Dad turned 70 on the 1st!  70 doesn't seem as old to me as it used to now that Dad's there. LOL

The 4th of July started out with Little One and I in the city parade with our karate school.  It was lots of fun, even though it was hot.  Little One sat on the float and threw candy.  I walked and had kids in the audience break boards.  

She tried to throw some to Mom, Dad and Ira.  

The girls were with their Dad for the holiday so I was wondering what I was going to do.  My aunt and uncle were in town and that was really nice.  Then I got an invite from my friend, Becca, to come to their house for a BBQ and fireworks.  I really went back and forth as to if I should go or not, but decided to go ahead in the end.  I'm so glad I did because I had a blast!  Of course, I didn't get any pictures in the light, but I did get some of the fireworks.  I really needed my DSLR though.  The point/shoot didn't cut it too well. :)  

Visit With Laurie Ann

It is becoming a tradition to go down to Springville at least once a summer and hang out with my sweet friend, Laurie Ann, and her family.  This time it was girls only (except her cute little boys) since her husband was out camping with his dad.

We didn't get to stay nearly as long as we would have liked.  Last year we came on Friday night and didn't go home until Monday morning.  This year we got there Friday evening and went home Saturday evening.  Little One had her belt promotion to get to and we also had tickets to see my brother in Fiddler on the Roof.  We made the most of it and had a blast anyway!  Friday night we checked out the splash pad down there.  We didn't realize it shut off at 8pm though so the kids didn't get to play too long.  Therefore, we decided to go again on Saturday.

Thanks so much, Laurie Ann!  We love you and can't wait to get together again!

We went up the canyon again and played at a park/stream.

There was a lot of rock skipping going on.

This is all I could get when I tried to get Peter to smile for a picture.  He's got an adorable smile but wouldn't do a picture. :) 

Back to the splash pad.

The girls each took turns with the boys and played.  I'm not sure which of the four of them had the most fun!

We had some limbo contests going on too.

Little One enjoyed chatting with the repair guy as he took grass out of places it shouldn't be.

Belt Promotions! - Blue

The end of June held yet another belt promotion.  I liked how they did it this time with the teen/adult class on a Wednesday night and then all the little kids at the Rec Center the following Saturday.  There were relatively few people there for my test.  Honestly, I'm starting to feel a bit left out.  Most all of the friends I've made, especially the really good ones, have gotten high enough in their ranks that we don't do classes together much anymore.  It will be around 9 more months or so before I can do the class they've moved up to and by then they'll be about to black.  Unfortunately, a lot drop out after getting black belt.  I'll keep plugging away, but I miss them.

Here we are, stretching before we began.

Sparring

My sweet friend, Annie, came even though it wasn't her promotion.  She took this one of me and our other friend, Mark.

Then we had Little One's a few days later.

The floor was more exciting than stretching.

Her push-ups are getting SO much better!

We sure love these guys!  They've been very good to us.

Miscellaneous

Here I am, almost caught up and the last couple of days I've taken a bunch more pictures I need to get up again.  This is the last batch from the last time I did pictures though. :)

Here is Dad on Father's Day.  Or rather, the day before so the girls could participate.

Mom was helping out with a Mother's Day lunchen (the day before) and the volunteers dressed in victorian clothing.  She couldn't find anything that worked well so she rented a costume and it was perfect!  I don't have one with her hat on, but I loved these anyway. :)

Karissa's sash is finally finished so here are updated baptism pictures.

Loved the smile on this one, even though the dress is a little not perfect.

And, of coure, I finally got one of her and Dad.